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Audley Harrison is confident he will win over British boxing fans, starting with his heavyweight clash with British rival Michael Sprott on Saturday.
The 35-year-old former Olympic champion is challenging for Sprott's fringe European Union title at Wembley Arena.
"It would nice to have the fans on my side. This is my home turf and there will be a lot of Audley fans there.
"If people don't like me I can't really do much about it, but eventually people will appreciate me," said Harrison.
The 2000 Olympic champion had to endure some jeers following his three-round stoppage of Danny Williams in December.
However, he insisted his impressive display had made the fans think again.
"Last time, by the time I left the ring, I heard a lot of 'Audley' chants.
"But the reality of it is, this is me. I'm not chasing fame or publicity and hopefully in the long-run people will understand what I'm about."
Harrison looked down and out after losing to Williams and American Dominick Guinn in quick succession.
But he looked sharp in dismissing Williams and claims to have put his celebrity side on the backburner.
"The showman side of things is a part of me, but the business of fighting is a serious one and I'm totally focused on Saturday night," said Harrison.
"Obviously the big picture is about winning a world title this year. Michael Sprott's in my way and I've got to go through him."
The winner of Sprott-Harrison is set to meet Commonwealth champion Matt Skelton in June before a possible world title tilt at a later stage.
"The objective is for the best heavyweight in the country to go on and challenge for the world title," said promoter Frank Warren.
"There's four belts there so there are four opportunities and we'll see what's available at the time.
"We've got a big crowd coming on Saturday and these guys have to deliver, it's as simple as that.
"It's not winning the fight that counts, it's how they win the fight. You win fans over by performances.
"People pay a lot of money and they want excitement and I'm sure Audley doesn't want to be involved in another fight like the first against Danny Williams."
Sprott's trainer, meanwhile, expressed his irritation at the treatment of his fighter in the British media.
"Michael has never been in as good nick as he is at the moment," said Jim Evans.
"It annoys me when the papers say 'surely they can find a better opponent than Michael Sprott'.
"Michael is a champion, he deserves credit. He's fought everybody and I can't understand how the bookies have made Audley Harrison 1-7."
Sprott, 32, is a former British champion, has lost twice to and beaten Williams once and also lost to Skelton.
He was also knocked out in one round by former WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders in 2001.
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